Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: LEUPROLIDE - INJECTION (LEW-pro-lide)
BRAND NAME(S): Lupron
Medication Uses | Other Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert
USES: This medication is a synthetic hormone. When it is used, the body stops producing testosterone hormones in males and estrogen hormones in females. When the medication is stopped, hormone levels return to normal. Leuprolide is used in the treatment of prostate cancer in men, early puberty in children, and anemia (due to uterine fibroid tumors) in women.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used for ovarian or breast cancer in women.
HOW TO USE: This medication is given as an injection under the skin (SC). Do not stop using this without your doctor's permission.
SIDE EFFECTS: Adults - This medication may cause nausea, vomiting, hot flashes, night sweats, bone pain, swelling of feet and ankles, headache, or difficulty urinating the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Notify your doctor if these symptoms continue or become bothersome. This medication may cause reduced sexual desire. Notify your doctor if you develop any of the following while using this medication: rapid heartbeat, chest pain, breathing difficulties, fever, chills, painful urination, testicular or prostate pain (men), persistent irritation at the injection site. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: severe headache, vision changes, severe drowsiness, unusual or one-sided weakness. Children - This medication may cause general pain, acne, irritation at injection site, vaginal inflammation or discharge (females). The medication may rarely cause swelling of hands or feet, weight gain, headache, nervousness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, gingivitis, or trouble swallowing. Notify your doctor if these symptoms continue or become bothersome. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Endometriosis - Lern about endometriosis symptoms like pelvic pain, infertility, diarrhea, constipation, lower back pain, abdominal pain, irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding, and even blood in the urine.
- Prostate Cancer - Learn about prostate cancer treatment, causes, signs, stages, hormone therapy, symptoms, and how to maintain good prostate health.
- Uterine Fibroids (Benign Tumors of the Uterus) - Learn about uterine fibroids (benign tumors of the uterus) - causes, symptoms and treatment information on MedicineNet.com
Latest Medical News
Back to Medications Index
Interactive Slideshows